2 Axel Disasi

Axel Wilson Arthur Disasi Mhakinis Belho was born on 11 March 1998 in Gonesse, Val-d’Oise, France.

Club Career

Early Career
Disasi began his football journey at Villiers-le-Bel JS at the age of eight before spending a year at USM Senlis. He later joined Paris FC in 2014 and made his professional debut on 11 December 2016 in a 1–0 loss to Lens.

Reims
In 2016, Disasi moved to Reims, where he played a key role in the 2017–18 season as the club won Ligue 2 and secured promotion to Ligue 1. Over his time at Reims, he made 53 appearances in all competitions.

Monaco
On 7 August 2020, Disasi joined Monaco for a transfer fee of €13 million on a five-year contract. He made an immediate impact, scoring on his debut against former club Reims in a 2–2 draw on 23 August. Disasi played 129 matches for Monaco in all competitions.

Chelsea
On 4 August 2023, Chelsea signed Disasi on a six-year contract for £38.5 million (€45 million). He made an instant impression by scoring on his debut in a 1–1 draw against Liverpool on 13 August 2023. On 18 February 2024, he delivered a standout performance against Manchester City, making 16 clearances—the most by a Chelsea player in a league match in eight seasons.

Loan to Aston Villa
On 4 February 2025, Disasi joined Aston Villa on loan for the remainder of the 2024–25 season. The loan deal included a reported £5 million fee with full wage coverage.

International Career

Born in France, Disasi is of Congolese and Angolan descent. He was initially called up to the DR Congo U20s for the 2017 Jeux de la Francophonie.

For France, Disasi was called up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup squad on 14 November 2022 as a replacement for the injured Presnel Kimpembe. He made his senior international debut on 30 November in a 1–0 loss to Tunisia, becoming the first French player to make his international debut in a World Cup since 1966. He also featured in France’s round of 16 win over Poland and played in the dramatic final against Argentina, which ended in a penalty shootout defeat following a 3–3 draw.